Globel Tel Link - Rip Off

My husband is incarcerated, and Globel Tel is the company that I have to go through to accept any calls from him. I have been round and round with these people. Depending on how close you are to the facility you are calling depends on the rate (amount) of your call. I have found that most "county" jails have a contract which entitles them to a percentage of the calls in which the inmates families have to pay.

At one time I was only paying $2.85 per every 20 minute call. He was moved to a different location, and at that time our calls went to 2.85 to connect and 22 cents a min. I was told by Globel Tel Link that if my Phone number was "closer" to the facility I would be in a different "rate" category. I went through the trouble of changing my number to the city in which he was housed, had to go through the Inmate Phone Dept. at the facility to get our new number on his phone list and WHOALA!!! Our calls are still the same amount for a 20 minute call.

His mother and I, until getting our credit card bill had no idea that in the almost 5 months he has been away, we have spent almost $2,500 in calls. We have also come to find out that a lot of the charges we didn't put on either of our phones. Globel Tel is far beyond a complete rip-off, and they themselves ought to be incarcerated for how they take advantage of people that just want to stay in touch with their loved ones during such a difficult time.

I think you will find that all of the companies that provide this type of phone service for incarcerated persons, are going to charge inflated rates. There is not, fortunately, any other option as they normally have exclusive agreements with the facility or the jurisdiction involved.

While phone conversations are enjoyable, you may want to consider writing letters and saving the money you are paying global to actually travel to visit your spouse. Best of luck